Hero MotoCorp marked the 10th anniversary of Hero MotoSports Team Rally by announcing a five-year extension of its partnership with Amaury Sport Organization (ASO), the promoter of the Dakar Rally and the FIM World Rally-Raid Championship, while also launching a new rider development initiative called ‘India’s Next Dakar Hero’ (INDH).The company also confirmed the induction of 18-year-old Indian rider Shlok Ghorpade in the Hero MotoSports Team Rally setup. The announcements were made during a commemorative event held at Hero MotoCorp’s Center for Innovation and Technology (CIT) in Jaipur. The INDH program is aimed at identifying and developing Indian off-road racing talent for international rally-raid competition. Selected riders will undergo a structured training program of two to three years, covering navigation, riding skills, endurance, fitness and race preparation. The initiative is aimed at creating a pathway for Indian drivers to progress from domestic competition to events such as the Dakar Rally and the World Rally-Raid Championship.Hero MotoSports said the program builds on the experience gained during its decades-long involvement in international rally racing. The company had already taken a step in this direction in September 2025, when the Indian pilot Arun Thayappa made his rally-raid debut at the Cierzo Rally in Spain aboard the Hero 450 Rally prototype.As part of its talent development efforts, Hero MotoSports has signed Shlok Ghorpade from Satara, Maharashtra. The youngster won several national supercross titles and emerged as the fastest Indian rider in the India Supercross League. He has already started training alongside Rally-Raid world champion Ross Branch and other factory drivers, with a race simulation program in Morocco as part of his preparation for future participation in Dakar.
The anniversary event was attended by several members of the team’s international rider line-up, including Ross Branch, Nacho Cornejo and Michael Docherty, along with Indian rider Shlok Ghorpade and professional cyclist Somyya “Moksha” Chaudhary. Team Manager Wolfgang Fischer, Head of National MotoSports Jordi Grau, dealers, partners and members of the motorsport community were also present.Founded in 2016, Hero MotoSports Team Rally was established to compete in international rally-raid events while serving as a platform for technology development in extreme operating conditions. Since then, the team has competed in the Dakar Rally and the World Rally-Raid Championship, securing several podiums and race wins. One of the team’s biggest successes came in 2024 when Ross Branch won the FIM Rally-Raid World Championship title. Hero MotoCorp said the latest announcements are aimed at strengthening its long-term presence in global rally racing while creating opportunities for Indian riders to compete at the highest level of the sport.Speaking on this milestone, Dr. Pawan Munjal, Executive Chairman, Hero MotoCorp, said, “Over the past decade, Hero MotoSports Team Rally has evolved from a bold ambition to a globally respected rally team, proudly representing India on the world stage. This milestone celebrates our past achievements while firmly defining our vision for the future.The renewal of our partnership with ASO reinforces our long-term commitment to global rally racing. Furthermore, India’s Next Dakar Hero program reflects our deep belief that India possesses immense untapped motorsports talent waiting to be discovered and nurtured. Welcoming Shlok Ghorpade to the team, we aim to build a sustainable pathway for homegrown Indian riders to compete and excel at the highest levels of the sport. Together, these initiatives represent the next chapter in our journey to create a lasting rally-raid legacy for India.”
